The Country Diary of a GenX Woman

Halo of Holy Light

20130819 013I noticed the sunlight refracting/reflecting round my shadow giving me a halo. It is a phenomenon called Heiligenschein which is German for Holy Light.   It is most common on a dewy, sunlit lawn and is caused by reflection and diffraction of light rays.  Apart from rainbows, I don’t think I have ever seen – or maybe noticed – refracted light before. Apparently it is not a common occurrence – you have to have strong low light and dew or raindrops on grass, or in this case, oats. According to this site, it was first described in a book in 1834 and is not much discussed apart from in books on optics.

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Inspired by The Country Diary of an Edwardian Lady